MAKHACHKALA, October 10. /TASS/. Three militants have, according to preliminary data, been killed in a gunfight in the area of a counterterrorism operation in Dagestan, a source in the Russian North Caucasus republic’s law enforcement told TASS.

"Law enforcers have preliminarily killed three militants in the Suleiman-Stalsky district of Dagestan. The report is being specified," the source said.

The active phase of the special operation, he said, has been halted until morning.

The counterterrorism operation regime in Dagestan’s Suleiman-Stalsky district was imposed on Sunday at 21:45 Moscow Time.

Russia’s law enforcement agencies continue fighting militants in the North Caucasus over 15 years since the battle phase of the second war against Islamist separatists in Chechnya came to an end in 2000. Attacks on security officials and civilians occur from time to time in Dagestan, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria.